At this point, the one potential 1st round player I don't want drafted is...

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Te'o is a tackling machine who has a knack for being in the right place. That's great. But that describes several other inside linebackers in this draft, several of whom can be had much later than Te'o. Though Brian Kelly disagrees, Te'o's performance in the national title game against Alabama should give NFL teams pause. For most of 2012, Te'o roamed relatively free because teams couldn't handle nose guard Louis Nix III and defensive end Stephon Tuitt up front. It's much easier to play linebacker when guards and centers can't get a clean shot because they're either still trying to double-team Nix at the point of attack or getting popped by Tuitt on their way to the second level. Alabama's line was so good that the Crimson Tide blockers could get a free run at Te'o, and he got erased.Because the talent gaps are so much smaller in the NFL, it's unlikely Te'o will have a nose guard playing in front of him who is as dominant as Nix is against most of Notre Dame's opponents. (There's a reason Nix will be a top-10 pick in 2014.) If you're picking in the late first round and absolutely want an inside linebacker, consider LSU's Kevin Minter instead.

Te'o is a tackling machine who has a knack for being in the right place. That's great. But that describes several other inside linebackers in this draft, several of whom can be had much later than Te'o. Though Brian Kelly disagrees, Te'o's performance in the national title game against Alabama should give NFL teams pause. For most of 2012, Te'o roamed relatively free because teams couldn't handle nose guard Louis Nix III and defensive end Stephon Tuitt up front. It's much easier to play linebacker when guards and centers can't get a clean shot because they're either still trying to double-team Nix at the point of attack or getting popped by Tuitt on their way to the second level. Alabama's line was so good that the Crimson Tide blockers could get a free run at Te'o, and he got erased.Because the talent gaps are so much smaller in the NFL, it's unlikely Te'o will have a nose guard playing in front of him who is as dominant as Nix is against most of Notre Dame's opponents. (There's a reason Nix will be a top-10 pick in 2014.) If you're picking in the late first round and absolutely want an inside linebacker, consider LSU's Kevin Minter instead.